LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — Arkansas' interim higher education director said Friday that he wants the state to look for someone else to take over the position permanently.

In a letter sent to Gov. Mike Beebe, Shane Broadway said he'll continue to serve as interim director while the search continues. Once the state finds a permanent director, Broadway said he will stay on as deputy director if he's asked to do so.

Broadway's wife is battling multiple sclerosis and he said the higher education position requires a lot of time away from home.

"Debbie and I have been presented with new challenges over the past month in our ongoing battle with Debbie's Multiple Sclerosis," he wrote. "Therefore I would respectfully request that the Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board (AHECB) begin the process of searching for a permanent Director of the Arkansas Department of Higher Education."

Broadway was made interim director in February after the previous director, Jim Purcell, left to take a job as Louisiana's higher education commissioner.

Republicans have accused Beebe of cronyism for appointing Broadway, who is a friend and former state lawmaker. They have also questioned whether Broadway is qualified for the job.

Broadway worked extensively on education issues — including school funding and setting up lottery-funded scholarships — during three terms in the state House and two in the state Senate. He served as House Speaker when Beebe was president of the state Senate.

Broadway said he met with the coordinating board's chairman earlier this week to discuss his plans.

Chairman David Leech praised Broadway's work with the department and thanked him for his hard work.

"We support his decision and appreciate his serving as interim director," Leech said in a statement. "His knowledge of the legislative process, his ability to bring about consensus and his incredible work ethic are invaluable to higher education in Arkansas and moving it forward."

Broadway said it could take up to a year to find a replacement, and that he believes a qualified candidate could be found in Arkansas.

"There are people within the state who understand what the need is for the next several years," Broadway said. He ticked off remediation, graduation rates and funding as examples.

Beebe spokesman Matt DeCample said when Purcell was hired four years ago, no state candidate stepped forward to formally apply for the job.

Broadway said he spoke with Beebe about his decision, but did not suggest any replacement candidates.

DeCample said the governor can refer candidates to the higher education coordinating board, but ultimately the decision is up to the board.

At the request of Republican state lawmakers, Attorney General Dustin McDaniel is slated to weigh in on whether officials had obeyed state law in the search for a new higher education director.

McDaniel spokesman Aaron Sadler said neither of the lawmakers who asked for the formal opinion has withdrawn their request.

And Rep. Allen Kerr of Little Rock, who requested the opinion along with North Little Rock Rep. Jane English, says he doesn't plan to.

"We're not going to withdraw the request because it really was never about Mr. Broadway so much as it was about at what point do we follow the law and what point do we not," Kerr told The Associated Press.

Kerr said even if Broadway hadn't bowed out of the search for a permanent director, he wouldn't have been able to stay in the job once the opinion came out.

"Whether he's going to have that position or not is moot since he resigned from there, but at least now we know what the qualifications are," he said.

Broadway said the pending opinion from the attorney general didn't affect his decision.

"If they had made that action you and I would be having the same conversation," he said.